Nonstop flight route between Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between King Shaka International (DUR), Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and Tinker Air Force Base (TIK), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 9,443 miles (or 15,197 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between King Shaka International and Tinker Air Force Base, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between King Shaka International and Tinker Air Force Base. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about King Shaka International (DUR):

• Neighbouring communities are Tongaat to the north-west, Verulam to the south-west, and Umdloti to the south-east.
• Despite wide expectations that the airport would be named "King Shaka International Airport", it emerged in October 2009 that the airport needed to undergo a formal naming process.
• The largest aircraft KSIA currently has scheduled services for is the Boeing 777-300ER, with Emirates operating Dubai–Durban, despite the fact that KSIA's runway length and terminal were designed to theoretically handle regular large airliners.
• On 8 December 2009, it was reported that "King Shaka International Airport" was indeed the most popular name for the new airport.
• King Shaka International Airport, also known as La Mercy Airport, and abbreviated KSIA, is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa.
• King Shaka International (DUR) currently has only 1 runway.
• The terminal does not have a public viewing deck, which has attracted public criticism.
• Construction of the airport commenced on 24 August 2007, immediately after the approval of the EIA.
• The closest airport to King Shaka International (DUR) is Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB), which is located 43 miles (69 kilometers) W of DUR.
• The furthest airport from King Shaka International (DUR) is Hana Airport (HNM), which is located 11,682 miles (18,801 kilometers) away in Hana, Hawaii, United States.
• Because of King Shaka International's relatively low elevation of 295 feet, planes can take off or land at King Shaka International at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.

Facts about Tinker Air Force Base (TIK):

• The furthest airport from Tinker Air Force Base (TIK) is Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG), which is located 10,843 miles (17,449 kilometers) away in Rodrigues Island, Mauritius.
• The 507th consists of three subordinate groups, 15 squadrons and five flights, employing approximately 1,155 men and women.
• Tinker is also the home of the United States Navy's Strategic Communications Wing One.
• Tinker has on base several offices of the Defense Logistics Agency, the agency that provides supplies to the military services and supports their acquisition and transportation of repair parts and other materials.
• The 137th began as the 185th Fighter Squadron, with the P-51 Mustang.
• In 1926 he was awarded the Soldiers Medal for returning to his blazing aircraft to rescue a fellow officer.
• The closest airport to Tinker Air Force Base (TIK) is Will Rogers World Airport (OKC), which is located only 12 miles (20 kilometers) W of TIK.
• DLA Distribution is a combat support agency and the Lead Center for Distribution.
• DLA Aviation has two offices at Tinker Air Force Base, DLA Aviation Customer Operations commanded by COL Rex Adee, USAF, and DLA Strategic Acquisitions at Tinker AFB, under Frances Evans, Acting Director, DLR Procurement Operations.
• The 72d Air Base Wing is a multi-unit, multi-mission wing that includes base services and support for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, associate organizations, dependents, and retirees.
• In addition to being known as "Tinker Air Force Base", another name for TIK is "Tinker AFB".